Lakeside Shakespeare and Manitou Music Festival Postponed

Two of the area’s popular cultural presentations will forego presentations in 2021 as a result of the ongoing pandemic. Both the Manitou Music Festival in Glen Arbor and Lakeside Shakespeare in Frankfort plan to return in 2022, but will not host any performances this coming summer. The Manitou Music Festival was started by the Glen Arbor Arts Center in 1991 and has brought a diverse slate of musicians from across the country and the world to Leelanau County. The shows have featured blues, folk, jazz and world music at various sites, including the popular Dune Climb Concert. It will instead host three free small pop-up music concerts in conjunction with the 6ft Apart Art summer program. Details will be announced on its website. 

Lakeside Shakespeare has been performing in Frankfort since 2003, for the last several years on Tank Hill. The rotating cast of Chicago-based actors also presents workshops for children, an intern program and an apprentice program. Over the 17 years of its existence, it has showcased material by Shakespeare and other playwrights to more than 10,000 people. Christy Arington, Lakeside Shakespeare artistic director, said in a letter to patrons it will offer online workshops while planning for a return to Benzie County next year. The organization is also encouraging past audience members, supporters and those who have been involved in productions to submit short video memories through its “Past is Prologue” project. The videos will be shared on its website and social media.